The Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship is a fully funded professional fellowship for mid-career specialists working with Coptic manuscript heritage and cultural collections. Hosted by the British Library in London, the award supports a focused research project on cataloguing, provenance and access to the Library’s internationally significant Coptic holdings. The 2027 fellowship is open to eligible citizens of Egypt, Palestine and Sudan. The program runs for 12 months from September 2027 to September 2028.
The fellowship is co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through Chevening. Applications close on 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC, according to the official Chevening page. Selected fellows receive living support, return economy airfare, an allowance package and up to £1,000 for approved project expenses. Applicants should verify their country eligibility and professional background before starting the online application.
Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship Details
The project is based at the British Library and focuses on improving knowledge and discoverability of Coptic manuscript collections. The fellow will work with the Head of Asian and African Studies and contribute to a structured research project using subject expertise, language skills and professional experience.
The work can include surveying holdings, improving catalogue records, documenting provenance and developing public or community engagement activities. The fellowship also offers practical experience with one of the world’s major research libraries while building an international professional profile.
Host | British Library / UK FCDO |
|---|---|
Location | London, United Kingdom |
Duration | 12 months |
Dates | September 2027 to September 2028 |
Eligible citizenship | Egypt, Palestine or Sudan |
Deadline | 27 October 2026, 12:00 UTC |
Funding | Living expenses, airfare, allowances and project support |
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Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship Benefits
The funding package is designed to support the fellow throughout the full project period in the United Kingdom. Chevening confirms living expenses for the fellowship duration, return economy airfare and an allowance package connected to fellowship activities.
The award also provides up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses. Beyond financial support, the fellow gains specialist experience in manuscript cataloguing, provenance research, collections documentation and public engagement around Coptic heritage.
Also Check: Applicants interested in funded international research can also review the Wilson Center Research Fellowship.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be citizens of Egypt, Sudan or Palestine. Citizens of those countries who live elsewhere in specified Chevening-eligible and ODA-eligible MENA countries may also qualify, but they must demonstrate a clear intention to return to and contribute to their country of citizenship after the fellowship.
Candidates need a postgraduate qualification or equivalent relevant professional training or experience and at least five years of significant professional or academic research experience. They must also be employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate, have excellent Coptic knowledge, good English, and relevant manuscript, cataloguing, provenance or heritage-community experience.
Documents and Application Preparation
The application requires applicants to document their identity, citizenship, education and professional history through the Chevening online system. Scholarships Corner lists proof of citizenship, travel documents, experience certificates and transcripts among the materials candidates should prepare.
Applicants should also be ready to provide referee details and supporting statements explaining their experience and suitability. The official Chevening portal controls the final document requirements, so candidates should follow the live application checklist rather than relying only on third-party summaries.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the official Chevening application process. Candidates first select the appropriate country and fellowship, complete the eligibility questions, register and verify an account, and then fill in the online application form.
The form asks for personal information, higher-education and work history, referees and supporting statements. Applicants should review every section carefully and submit all required information before the closing time because late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship Deadline
The official deadline is 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC. This is the controlling deadline published by Chevening and is more precise than third-party references that list only the calendar date.
Applicants should submit earlier than the final hours to allow time for account verification, document uploads and technical issues. The fellowship itself is scheduled to start in September 2027 and continue until September 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers cover the most common questions applicants may have about this British Library fellowship. They summarize the official eligibility, funding and programme timeline in a quick format.
Applicants should still read the current Chevening call before submitting because the official application portal controls the final requirements. Checking the live call also helps confirm any country-specific instructions or deadline updates.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes. Chevening lists living expenses, return economy airfare, an allowance package and up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses as part of the fellowship support.
Who can apply?
The core nationality group is Egypt, Palestine and Sudan, subject to Chevening’s detailed residence, return, professional-experience and subject-specific eligibility rules.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts 12 months, beginning in September 2027 and ending in September 2028 at the British Library.
Conclusion
The Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship offers a rare fully funded route for experienced professionals to work directly with the British Library’s Coptic manuscript collections. Its combination of research, cataloguing, provenance work and community engagement makes it particularly relevant to specialists in manuscript heritage and cultural collections.
Eligible applicants should confirm the detailed Chevening criteria and prepare their application well before 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship provides both financial support and a year of focused professional development in London.
